Box ejector



June .28, 1938. G. c. PAXTON B0X EJECTOR Filed Sept. 24. 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 28, 1938-. ca c. F'A-XTON BOX' EJECTOR Filed sept. 24, 1935 2 sheetsgsheei 2 Patented June"v 28 ,l193l8 Y. f I f I f"UNITED-STATES PATE-Ni einer Box .EJEo'roR Y GeraldfiC. Iiaxtovn, Santa Ana, Calif., assignor,v by

mesne assignments, to `Food Machinery'Cor-- poration, a corporation of Delaware Application september 24, 1935, seria1No. 41,895

13 Claims. (er1- 10) My invention relates to machines for securing looking inthe direction of the arrow tof Fig. 1.

`covers on containers and morel particularly to a Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the suitable mechanism for discharging or ejecting a line 4`4 of Fig.. 2 I and' showing the operation 'of j container from such. a machine after the cover Vvthe ejector of my invention at the time afbox is ,liza securing operation.l w being received by the lidding machine. f f

.'In the agriculturalindustry, fruits, vegetables VFig. 5'is va vview similar'toFig/e, but showing and other produce are packed in suitable crates the operation of my invention during the lidding or boxes for transportation to market'. After be- `of a vbox by the lidding machine.

. ing packed, these containers are conveyed toa Fig'. 6 is a fragmentaryside. elevationalview lid securing machine where a lid is secured on looking in the direction' of the arrow 6 ci Fig.5. l0 the-container. After the lid has been so secured, Fig. '7 is a viewl similar to Fig.- 6,'but Ishowing the container is usually discharged from the lid the operation 0f my invention during the time `a securing machine 'onto` a suitable storage conbOX iS being ejected from the 'lidding Ineehlne, veyor where the containers are collected awaitand fr; ing shipment.A As these storage [conveyors are Fig- 3 iS en enlarged. fragmentary Seeonal Ll5 usually of the idle roller type, it is necessary that VieW taken 0n the line 3`3 0f Fig. the lidded container` be' ejected from the machine Y VReferring SDeClCeJlly t0 the drawings, a lidwith `suiiieient force to carry the container to its dine machine I0, Shown in Connection with a predestinationl Itis also necessary, in'view of the ferred embodiment of my invention, is illustrated 20 high rateof speed atlwhich these machines mustV in Fig 1, this mafihine including a frame ii, a .20

operate, that the iidded containers be promptly peWer unit I2..- a rleexsnprmrting table I3. a lInox ejected from the machine so that tne next folyeJeetOr I4,'na111ne umts I5and e strap applying lowing container may be immediately received by knnii S- With theeXe'eDtiOn 0f the bOX eJ'eCtOr iii, ther machine. the machine v I Il is substantially similar to the mao 2`5 It is, accordinglj'r, an object of my invention to chine disclosed 1 in the Adepending application ci u25 provide a box ejector for use onr a lid'L securing Hale Paxton et al., SerialNo. 688,104, filed Sepmachine, that will eject a box with suiicient force eInbeI 5, 1933, OI Antemetilid" nailing end r l I to propel the box a substantial distance along an strapping maehine- I idle Vconveyor leading therefrom'; I The frame II includes front kand rearicorner *no Another object of my invention is to provide a pests I6 and respectively extending upward *3o box ejector (for use on a lid: securing machine) from a suitable base I8 shown in Fig. 2. Secured fthat is prompt in action so as to completely eject to the posts I6 and I'I at either side of the maabox by thetime themachne completes alid-l chine I0 are'horizontallbars'lS, the latter supding operation cycle. f Y porting opposite ends of a.l horizontal channel 3s -Lidsecuring machinesat'present are generally member 20 as shown in Fig. 5. Mounted on the 35 `of tW'o types. One known as a lidding machiner upper ends of the posts I6 and I'i is a suitable presses thelid on the box for nailing thereto. vsuperstructure 22 for supporting the nailing units The other is known as a strapping machine and I5 and strapper S. further secures the lid in place by applying a The power unit lI2 is mounted between the base '4b strap across the middleV of the lid and securing lil and the channel member 2e, this unit serving 140 ends of the'strap to sidesofthe box. The invento raise and lower the table i3, the construction tion is disclosed hereinas'associated'with a lidand operation of the unit i2 being clearly set dingmachlne. v forth inthe above referred to application.

I y e .'Other* objects and advantages will be made The table I3, shown inFig. 2,v includes trans- 4'5 manifest in the following description, taken inverse bars 25 and 26, with their ends' disposed in 45 connection with the accompanying drawings, in sliding relation with the corner posts i6 and il. which:V y y Extending between the bars 25 and 2t are pairs Fig'. 1 is a front elevational view` of a lidding of longitudinal bars 21 having rollers 28 mounted machine which includes a preferred form Vof box therebetween. Provided on the iront and rear l vv50 .ejector of my invention, certain Vportions of the sides of the table I3 arefside lushers 29 mounted 50 .lidding machine, not pertaining to the present irlon shafts 30, the ends'of the latter being rotatably vention, being broken away. received by the bars 25 and. 26 as shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2'is a horizontal sectional View taken on Fixed to and extending upward from the shafts `the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. 30 are arms 3l having lusher plates 32 on the "55 Fig. 3 is a. fragmentary side' 'elevationalfvi'ew upper ends'thereof. Mounted on the arms 3| 55 are horizontal bars 34 having stili springy ends 34a for centralizing a box 'transversely on the table I3 and xed to the outermost arms 3i above the bars 34 are box end engaging members 35 for centralizing a box longitudinally on the table I3 in a manner to be described hereinafter. Fixed on opposite ends of each of the shafts 39 is a lever 38 having a roller 39 on the upper. end thereof,V each of the rollers 39. being disposed in alignment with a cam track 40 provided on the nearest one j of the posts I6 and I1 as shown inFigs. 5 and. 6, the tracks 4I) having angular portions 4I at the lower ends thereof. The arms 38 are urged to .the positions in which they are shown in Fig. 3 by contractile springs 42. .Y Y

The box ejector I4 includes a horizontal-"shaft 50 secured at its ends to the transverse bars 25 and 26 of the table I3. Fixed onthe shaftY 50 adjacent the bar 26 is a stationary block 5I bifurcated at its lower side to receive and rotatably support a pulley 52. Pivotally mounted on apin i 54 on the upper 'iside of the block'. 5I is box` stop 55 Vurged to the position iniwhich it is shown in Fig. 8 .by a compression spring 56. Slidably mounted ontheshaft 5f!V is a block. 58 having a pin 59 on the upperv side (thereof. vPivot-ally `mounted on..the.pin. 59. is aj box and engaging hook B0 urged tothepositioninwhich'itis Vshown in Fig. 8 by a compression'spring 6I. Extending from the block 58 over the .pulleyY 52 is achain 63,.the lower end of which hangs through a suitable opening provided in `the channel member 20 as 4vshown in. Fig. 4. Attached to theiextremity of the chain 63 is a rod 54 having a head 55.0n its lower Vend and a sliding `collar 66 on its `upper end, there being. a compression. spring 61 Von the Y rod 64. Fixedonxthe. shaft-50,.asseen in Fig. 4,

Vvbox to strike the stop 12.

the pressure of the spring'15 as shown are collars 68 and69, an extension spring :10.being mounted on the shaftv and secured at its ends to the xed collar ,68 and sliding block 56.

Rotatably mountedion theshaft 5U (Fig. 3) adjacent the collar 69 (Fig. 2) isa-box stop .12

.having ,an .apertured ear 13 .extending .from one side thereof. .The `stop 12 .is `normally .urged against thecollar69 by aV compression springv 15 coiled about the shaft 5D.

Mounted on. a suitable bracket. 18 provideduon the under side of the table I3 is. abellcrank, 19 having arms 80 and 8l. .Connectingpthe arm 80 of the. bell crank 19 :with the. ear 13.01'. the. boxV stop 12 is a link.82 ,andrconnectingi the arm 8| `of thefbell crank with one of the levers 38; of the .front shaft 30 is a compressible link. 8,3, the latter :being normally urged to extended position by.a

compression spring 84 as shown inFig. 3.

Operation vvmitting the latter to rise behindthe box to the position indicated in dotted lines. After the box .B is stopped, the spring 15 returns the stop 12 urging the box against the stop 55.

AWhen the boxl is positioned on the-table I3 between the stops and 12, the operatorcauses to theV dotted line position indicatedatb, thus the power unit I2v to be energized thus'raising the Atable I3 toward .the nailingunits-I-S. As the .table I3 rises, the side ushers, 2,9iare1swung-.in-

ward by contact of the tracks 40 with the rollers 39 of the levers 38 so that the members 35 engage opposite ends of the box B. As the side flushers 29'are swung inward, the link'83 rocks the bell crank 19 causing the link 82 to rotate the stop 12 out of engagement with the box end as shown in Fig. 6. AsV the stop 12 is rotated, it is also Vurgedagainst the collar 69 and partially under the end of box B as shownin Fig; 5. During the upward travel of the table I3, the chain Y63 is held at. its lower end by the member 2D thus pulling the block 58 toward the block 5I until the hook 6l) engages the end of the box B, the spring I0 being now extended as shown in Fig. 5.

` When thev table I3 approaches its uppermost position, the lidY L, shown in Fig. 1, is pressed over the contents of the box and the lid ends are nailed to the1box ends bythe nailing units I5 substantially asset forth in the above referred to co- 'pending application.

Asthe table I3. is. lowered.foll'owingxthealid securing operation, thei` chain.; 63ubecomes1slack .allowing vthe hook. 6Ilto .be .-urged: .against fthefhox Y endby the .spring 1I), the box. being. retainedfon the table I3 by the members 35k ofsthesidefushers 29. When the, rollers. 39roll. Vdown .theiportions 4I :of the tracks 40,; the .flushera 29frswing outward. as :shown in Fig.r .7, allowing.` thestop V12 to. riseagainst the undersideofthe boxB, the

link 83 being telescoped` longitudinally .against the pressure of the spring 84 thereof. -Asfsoon as the members 35 -of'the ushersrf'29umove out from engagement with theA ends of the -box,\.the latter'is quickly ejected .from the tabllehl3 onto a suitable idle roll discharge conveyor 9I;.by the spring 15 -and hook 6I). lliljectionofthecbox .B

is started before vthe table *I3` arrivesfatitslower- .most position, the box being vcompletely.dis-

charged from the machine Ill at` substantially the same time thatthetable, I3-comesto rest. When E the'ejected boxpas'ses over` the stop 12', the link .83 is extended by the spring 84 causing, the stop 12 to be swung upward into position-to stop the Vnext box to be received by the table I-3.

Although Ihave shown: and described butone preferred embodiment of-myrinventionfit-is to be understood that many modifications .andchanges might be made therein Without departingfrom the spirit of the invention or the'scopeof the appended claims. v g y WhatIclaimis:r Y,

1. In a lid securing machine, the combination of z a horizontal tablefor supporting a; loaded box; idle conveyor rollers providedon.` said table to support and facilitate rapidlmovement of -said box over-said table; means-.adapted .to-cooperate with saidV table when in superimposed contact with a box on said table to perform alidy securing operation on said box; mechanism causing relative vertical movement .between saidV .table and said. means to effect said contact-box ejecting performance of saidrlid securingoperation.Yl

2." In a lid securing machine,A the. combination of: a horizontal .table forsupporting a F rear. faceof saidbox, said ejecting meansguickly expelling said box from said machine afterjthe loaded box; idle conveyorrollers provided `on said table to supportand facilitaterapfidmove- Vment of said boxover. said tablefthere being. an

open longitudinal space provided in-said;'tab1e between said. rollers.; lmeans-adapted),to` coopertactfwith a boxon said table'to perform, a lid securing yoperation on' said box; mechanism' causfing relative vertical` movementV between 4said* table and said means to'effect' said contact; a

*shaft mounted longitudinally'A on said't'a'ble in said-space; a box ejector slidably mountedon said shaft and *adapted to 'extend' flpitoVv the pathv of a box travelling over said table o r downwardly out of said path; `means controlled by said-mechanismv and connected "t'o'said ejector to position said ejector opposite a'rearface of said box `and means for causing`said `ejector to slide rapidly along said shaft to quickly expel "said box from said table after the performance "of said` box oversaid table, there being an. open longitudinal space provided in said table between said rollers; means adapted to cooperate with said table when in superimposed contact with a box on lsaid. table to perform a lid securing operation on said box; mechanism causing relative vertical movement between said table and said means to effect said contact; a shaft mounted longitudinally on said table insraid space; a box ejector slidably mounted on said shaft and adapted to extend up into the path of a box travelling over said table or downwardly out of said path; means controlled by said mechanism and connected to said ejector to position said ejector opposite a rear. face of said box; means for causing said ejector to'slide rapidlyvalong said shaft to` quickly expel* said box from said table after the performance of said lid securing operation; a box stop mounted on said shaft; and means controlled by said mechanism to deflect said stop out of the path of a box on said table to permit said box to be expelled by said ejector. l

4; Ina lid securing machine, the combination of a horizontal table for supporting a loaded box; idle conveyorrollers provided on said table to support and facilitate rapid movement of said box over said table; means-adapted to cooperate with said table when in superimposed contact with a box on said table to perform a lid securing operation non said box; mechanism causing relative vertical movement between said table and said means to effect said contact; a shaft horizontally'mounted on said machine adjacent the path travelled by Aa box moving over said table and parallel with the directionof said travel; st op means mounted on said shaft for stoppingv a box in position to be operated on; a box ejector slidably mounted on said shaft and adapted to be shifted into and out of said path; means controlled by said mechanism and connected to said ejector to move said ejector to engage a rear face of said box; and means for shifting said ejector to quickly expel said box from said machineV after the performance of said lid securing operation.

5,"In a lid securing machine, the combination of: ahorizontal table for supporting a loaded f y box; idle conveyor rollers provided on said table relative vertical movement between said table and said means to-effect` said contact;I a 'shaft horizontally mounted on said machine 'adjacent the path travelled byrabox'moving over said table and parallel withv the direction -of vsaid travel; a box stop rotatably and slidably mounted on said shaft'and adaptedto extend into the adjacent path; means for yieldably'urging said,

stop to slide ina given direction on said shaft;

"means for limiting the sliding movementof said stopv on said' shaft responsive to said yieldablel means; and means for rotating said stop about said'shafty to remove said stop fromrthe ady f jacent path of said box. i i

6. In a lid securing machine, the combination of: a horizontal table for supporting aloadedf box; idle conveyor rollers providedon'said table to support and facilitate rapid movement of` said box over saidr table; means adapted to cooperate with said table when in superimposed contact with avbox on said table to perform a lid securing operation on said box; mechanism causing relative Vertical movement between' said table and said means to effect said contactpa shaft horizontally mounted on said machinef'adjacent the path travelled by a box movingoverv said table and parallel with the direction of said travel; a box stop rotatably and slidably mounted on said shaft and adapted to extend into Athe adjacent path; means for yieldablyl urging vsaid stop to Vslide in a given direction on said shaft;

means for limiting the sliding movement of sa1d stop on said shaft responsive to saidyieldable means; and means controlled by saidmechanism to automatically rotate said stop aboutV saidl shaft to remove said stop from the'adjacentspath ofsaidbox.l Y I V7. In a lid securing machine, the combination of: -a horizontal table for supporting ai loaded box; idle conveyor rollers provided on saidtablev to support and facilitate vrapid movement 'of saidbox over said table; means adapted to cooperate with said table when yin superimposedcontact with a box on said table to perform a lid securing operation on sai-d box; mechanism causingy kiti relative vertical movement betweenzsaid table and said means to effect said contact; a shaft horizontally mounted on said machine adjacent the path travelled by a box moving oversaid table and parallel With the direction of said travel; stop'means-mounted on said shaft for.,

8. In a'lid securing machine, the combinationv of a horizontal table vfor supporting a loaded box; idle conveyor rollers provided on said table to support and facilitate rapid movement of said box over said table; rmeans adapted to cooperate with said table when in superimposed contact with a box on said table to perform a lid securing operation on said box; mechanism causing relative vertical movement between said table and said means to effect said contact; a shaft horizontally mounted on said machine adjacent the path travelled by a box moving over said table and parallel with the direction of'said travel; a box ejector-slidably mounted on said shaft and adapted to be shifted into and out of said path; a spring :coiled about .said :shaft: :and f connected pto @said eiector; and meansactuatedbysaid mechanism @during said Yrelative -vertical V4movement A to .fdistort Asaid spring, theenergyofjsaidldistortionfbei6 .ing-impart-edfto. saidejector througnsaidspring :,to movesaid ejector against therear face of.` said ,box; j and means v.to .fhold said `box against Vmove- .ment `.and then releasesaid box to permit Vsaid .fejectorwto lquickly-expel Ithe box fromfsaidma- .A chine.

9. In a lidfsecuringmachine, thecombination of: :aL-.horizontaltable for support-ing aloaded box; idle conveyor rollers,.provided,-on-said table :tosuppcrtzand facilitaterrapid movementfof :said .p-,box over -saidvtable means adapted Vto v.cooperate Y Withgsaid :table when in nsuperimposed .contact with raxbox onfsaid-.table to perform a. Alid securingtoperation'on said box; mechanism ycausing relative` vertical movement jbetween said table 'i220 and said vmeans tcaeiect saidrcontactz and .to Athen y restore.` the norrnalespaced-relation betweenvsaid ftablercand .said means; a shaft zhorizontally zmounted on said machine'adjacent the path trav- `selledlloy :a .box moving over'said :table -and parallel :3125 Withthe .directionof `:saidVt-raveka box .ejector :Slidably mounted onsaid shaftfandfadapted :toebe shifted'. into. andY out of -saidpath; a spring coiled aboutvsaid shaft andnconnected yto said ejector; landa-.means :actuated by .said mechanism during m said. relative vertical Vmovementto'stretch-said 1spring;aand :slidablyretract lsaid ejector. along said shaft into Va position with said: ejector disposed adjacent arear face;ofsaidbox, said last recited means inthe restoration oit-.said normal spaced. .i'd relation. permitting Asaid-spring to Yurge said'. ejector against said rear face of said boxr;;and means :Ito resist-.thernovement ofwsaid box-on lsaid .table .byrsaid ejector and thenrelease saidbox vas-the completion of v.the -aforesaid relative vertical 4,140 4:movement is'approachedto permit said `ej ector` to quicklyexpel saldi box fromV said' machine.

. .10. In adid-'securingmachina the combination of: :afhorizontal tableior supporting a loaded .-.box; I idle -conveyor Vrollers provided.l onfsaid table 445 'rtof support and facilitate Vrapid movement' of said Vbox overrsaidztable;V means adaptedzto-cooperate *"withsaid table when -invsuperimposed -contact rwith `axbox on-fsaidtable to'performfa lid securing mperationzon .said box; ymechanism-.'ca-using `rela- .;gitive yvertical movement` between :said .ta-ble :and :tsaid means .to eiect said .contactfandfor causing assecond relative verticali-movement between'fsaid v-taloleaand said means togrestore `thenormal *spaced lrelationbetweenusaid:means land .i said table; a

1 vs -55 shaftzhorizontally mountedY on said :machine .ad-

=jacent` tl'iefpathtravelled by abox moving over saidztable and-,parallel 1with theV direction of said travelpaibox ejector :slida-bly mounted. on said shaft and adapted-td be shifted Y into y .andout of 1560 Said path; a spring coiled about saidshaftand connected to said ejector; and-means Yactuated -abyrsaid lmechanism during `the .rst aforesaid means is=providedk 4for' :shifting inwardlyat oppof` rsitesides lof said ,boxgto engagesaidbox andsub- .offisaid relative vertical movement.

. relative vertical :movement Vto. stretch :asaidaspring l -and slidably. retractsaid ejector along -said shaft .into agposition withsaidejector disposed adjacent arearjace of said box, said-.last recited'means during ,the second aforesaid .relative l*movement 315 .Y `per.rnittiifigsaidYspring tovurgefsaidrej ector against -Y therear face iof gsaid-.box and vquickly yexpell said v-.boxiromfsaid machine.

.11. In .alid securingmachinefthe combination 1-of 2' .a:,horizontal Vtable Vfor supportinga .loadedolo Y-.b0x; vidlelconveyor rollers provided Yfmsaid table ,to .Support .and..faci1itate.rapid` movement of said ,box :oversaid table; means .adapted .to cooperate @with said,.table;when in superimposed contact with a` box .onsaids tableV to perform alid .securing .3,15 operation on said l box; V.means `for elevating said table-toeifect said contact; .abox ejector.Y mount- V,ed .adjacent the path-` travelled by nsaidboxdn ry moving .oversaid .table-said ejectorbeing shift- .able -into -*and* from-.said path; springl meanslfgo adapted `to .yieldably urge said ejector .in the ...direction of -saidrtraveh A.and means .actuated by vsaidelevatingimeans-tduringsthe lifting of said .table .to .store-.energy in 'said-,spring ,means, ,Said

last recit'ed.,mear1spermitting the releaseofesaidrm energy -with saidejector engaging. a .reanfaceof Y said box-to. quickly expel saidsbox from. said ma- .chine ,-during.,the .downward movement .,of said :.table.

. 712. In at lid-securing.fmachinefthe .combinationzio -ofz a. `frame; a horizontal table for .supporting a loaded box; idle conveyor `.rollers provided-on said tableto'support Land .facilitate rapid movement of. saidfbox oversaidf-table; -means 4,adapted to- .co-V

moper-atewvith said .table .when rin `.superimlzvosedm5 Contact with `arbox .on said tableto perform4 a. lid

mounted on said table adapted :to yieldably urge said ejector` in the -direction of l said travel; a zpulley on saidftable; and alinearflexibleelementk connected toz-said-,ejector'passing over said pulley "45 and .connected Ato .the frame .of .said .machine said flexible -element operating during vthe upward movementof said tableto shift saidejector into -a position..opp.ositeza rear facelof saidbox and?, .releasing said ejectorI during the dovvnWardtravel 50 `of said-table topermitf said spring .to urgesaid ejectoragainst said .box to` quickly expel saidbox lfrom said machine.

stantially i delay longitudinal .movement of .said

= .box 'in yresponse l. to said ejector, said means. re-

leasing. said box inftimed: relation with areversal :i

GERALD 1 ,C. IPPAXTON. 

